Page 91 of Wild in Minnesota

A little jolt flickered. “Of course, I could be fabulous. If nothing else, I can pretend I moved on and have a life that consists of mediocre happiness.”

He tilted his head. “My only concern is he’ll pull a slick one and try to get you back into weekend-pass mode.”

I held my hand up. “No. Fucking. Way. Will never happen.”

His brow popped. “You sound good now, but two glasses of wine in, and I’m worried he’ll be able to maneuver his way to where he wants to go.”

“Damn it. I do get a little slutty when I drink.” I clapped my hands. “I won’t drink. Boom, problem solved. Besides, after the words that tore me to shreds, there is no way in hell I’m even talking to the man.”

“Okay, I like what I’m hearing. Just don’t think about it until then. Yeah, focus on girl shit for now. Like, uh, buying new eye power stuff or getting your nails painted.” He grabbed a tissue and wiped off the ice cream I didn’t know was on my chin. “Figure out what’ll look good on you so he regrets the day he saw Fern Ethel Novotny.

I eyed my extremely handsome best friend. “What would look good on me? Hmm.”

Chapter 14

Mistakes

I was buzzing around the door of the church like a wasp next to his hive. The wedding party and Ed and Tawnee’s families were strolling inside, but no sign of Fern.

The church looked all weddingy with flowers everywhere, and my gut clenched when I saw two of the candle towers Fern and I had put together with her lube and my gun. Oh, I was longing for the good old days.

My eyes watched Novots and Liv laughing with people, and I knew this wedding was my only chance to try to get her back. I should’ve never lied to her at the arena. I should’ve taken her in my arms and just dealt with Dave later. Everything I’d done was wrong. Certainly, Dave wouldn’t attack me at Ed’s wedding…right? There would be far too many witnesses, and with Fern flying out of here in a few days, time was not on my side. Cue the music: You only get one shot. Do not miss your chance to blow. This opportunity only comes once in a lifetime.

We had thirty minutes before the rehearsal started so I went out the side door of the church. I leaned against the building, happy to feel the crisp air against my skin while I tried to lasso my brain that was all over the place. You know, get all my ducks in a row. But every time I made progress, one of those little fuckers roamed off and back to Fern.

I headed back inside to Ed who stood next to the altar and slapped him on the shoulder. “Hey.” My eyes traveled the church, and I saw her. Fern was talking to Pam and Katie. Heat burned through my clothes as every instinct screamed for me to go and do anything to get her back right then. But I stomped down the fire. I had to do it at the right time.

Her hair was straight, and the remarkable dress she wore held onto the most amazing curves I’d ever laid eyes on which was the equivalent to a kick in the groin, leaving me unable to catch my breath.

She wore a two-tone black and white dress, her left side was white and the right side was black with a sexy curve going up the dress separating the colors. Thin straps over her shoulders and a black belt that tied at her waist put an excllamation point on the sexiness that was her.

A pull down south as I ran my laser vision of the moment down her perfect breasts, the hips I dug my fingers into, to the bare legs that were held up by black heels with a strap around the ankle that somehow seemed X-rated.

My mind raced to the smell of her hair, the little moan that escaped her when my teeth hit her bare shoulders, and the taste of her eager mouth meeting mine. Somebody, please take me out now.

Ed cleared his throat. “How’re you doing, buddy?”

I couldn’t tear my eyes from her. “I don’t know.”

He hit my shoulder. “It’ll be okay.”

It was then that my head blew off my shoulders. Appearing next to Fern was a blond man, about my height, wearing black pants and a button-down shirt. Fern smiled up at him while she seemed to be introducing the man, who I instantly hated, to the girls.

“Who’s that?” I looked at Ed, realizing my voice was higher than it should be. “Who the hell is with Fern?”

“Dave said he’s been a friend of Fern’s since they were kids.”

I let go of a breath trapped in my ribs. “A friend…that’s cool.” I was nodding at an uncontrollable speed. “Everybody has friends. Right?” Okay, the man who looks like he stepped off a billboard advertisement for toothpaste was a lifelong friend. That was good.

My eyes bulged as I watched his hand go to her waist while she was talking and laughing. Then it slid down a little and was resting on the top of her hip. OMG, this guy needed to be put in his place…like now. I took a step.

“Gabe, stop it.” Ed spoke softly, “She’s not yours.”

“No friend touches another friend like that. He’s completely out of line.”

Suddenly I felt Ed’s hand on my ass. “See, it can happen.”

I turned to him as he laughed.

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